Many business types, such as landscapers, gardeners, auto repair facilities, and smaller delivery fleets, don't need a massive, heavy-duty trailer to accomplish their mission. These companies would be better served by a new or used light-duty trailer that provides substantial load carrying ability, all at a price that is more affordable than the larger units on the market today. Light duty trailers are typically characterized by small to medium sized trailer decks, single or double axles, and modest GVWR. While a light duty trailer is certainly less capable than a medium to heavy-duty unit, most users will find that the capacities of a light duty unit are sufficient for most jobs. Light duty trailers have the benefits of easier storage, less weight to be towed behind the truck, and a lower cost than their heavy-duty brethren.

What Are The Options Available Today in Light Duty Trailers?

Light duty trailers are available in a variety of sizes, capacities, and purposes. The most basic design of light duty trailers is the flatbed utility trailer. These units are designed to haul large bulky goods with ease, and frequently include options such as foldable loading ramps, mesh sides, and tongue jacks. New or used light duty trailers can be as small as 4' x 4', which allows for convenient transportation of pallet-sized loads. For those seeking a larger and more capable trailer that can still fit in a garage bay or residential area, a unit in the 4' x 8' to 5' x 12' range may fit the bill. These are easily trailerable by light duty trucks and SUVs, and still offer plenty of capacity. By adding on features like gooseneck hitches and heavier duty axles, the overall capacity of the trailer can be increased.

Some light duty units can be had as dump bed trailers. These trailers are ideal for those companies that frequently transport big loads of heavy, loose material. For the average landscape crew, being able to load 2,000 pounds of mulch into a dump trailer is convenient -- being able to dump all or part of it wherever it is needed is priceless! Some of these units operate mechanically, with crank pulleys and steel cables accomplishing the lifting chores. Many are hydraulically operated -- meaning less user fatigue and more power to lift the heaviest of loads.

What Are the Capacities Available?

The smallest light duty trailers will typically have a capacity of 1,000 to 2,500 pounds. Larger variants of light duty trailers may offer a GVWR of over 17,000 pounds. This means that the total weight of the cargo plus the weight of the trailer cannot exceed the specified GVWR for an individual unit. It is important to accurately gauge the total weight of the cargo that you plan on hauling, so the overall weight stays within a safe range. It may be wise to buy one size up from what you think you might need to effectively limit the number of times you run the trailer at maximum capacity. No matter which type of light duty trailer you need, we have the selection to ensure you find the exact model for your specific mission.